I was disheartened in the aftermath of the loss. Like Game 2, the Spurs had a chance to really take command -- only to let it slip through their fingers. However, after stepping back and taking a bigger picture look at these Finals, I'm at peace as a Spurs fan.
The Heat had everything going for them in Game 4. They had the emotional/motivation edge after getting blown out in Game 3. They went ahead and made their one series-altering adjustment they could make by starting a small lineup. Their Big 3 all played damn well. The Spurs turned it over 19 times and couldn't get an offensive rebound against their small ball unit -- which is at least partly bad luck. Parker was dealing with a new injury ... and just as important, the rest of the team was on edge not knowing how much Parker could do. You combine all of that and the Spurs shouldn't have been even as close as they were.
Game 5 will be a different story. The extra day of rest is huge (HUGE) for the Spurs. This time, they will have the emotional/motivation advantage. Parker will be healthier and the rest of the team will know better what to expect. Lineup-wise, the Spurs will make their counter-adjustment by starting a smaller lineup (whether that is Diaw, Neal or Ginobili in place of Splitter). I'm confident Duncan will play better. There's no way Ginobili has a worse game. Parker should also be better. Could Miami's Big 3 be better than they were in Game 4? Doubtful.
You add it up and the Spurs will have their chance to go up 3-2. Maybe it doesn't happen but everything is aligning for a much better chance than they had in Game 4.
If the Spurs can get Game 5, then -- IMO -- the pressure shifts to the Heat. The Spurs get two chances to win a game in Miami. All things considered, that'd be a great place to be in.
NBA championships are fvcking hard to win, especially for a team that on paper fits no historical mold. Big picture, there's nothing to be upset about regarding where the Spurs find themselves right now. Sure, getting an early knockout punch in Game 2 or Game 4 would have been fantastic but the Spurs remain right there with a legit opportunity to go up 3-2.
Now is not the time to lose hope; the fun is just beginning.
Believe.
Yeah this was the best game Miami has played in god knows how long. They all played perfect. Almost every shot went in, even tough ones from bosh and wade.
When the series started it was said, they shoot the long two, you live with it. They make it, tip your cap.
I'm appalled at the reaction of some fans in this site calling out names and players. It seemed a lot like collective suicide there. I don't believe some people in here can survive another loss.
As I've said, I'm literally celebrating every play spurs are making right now in this series
Thats 2 sweet wins the spurs have already bagged, I'm more than happy with where they are right now regardless of what happens from here. Before the grizz series started I said if the spurs get in the finals, i consider it as if they won it all
Thanks for this timvp, hopefully we can pull it together and win Sunday. That would be huge.
The reason we all get so sad after games like this is because this more than likely really is the last shot for this group (I know we've said that 34098349083 times over the past 5 years but still...) and I think we all want it so badly. Its frustrating because, quite frankly, it really does seem as though its the Heat's series to lose at times. Things do look better for game 5. I will agree with you there. By the same token, I keep wondering how much longer Danny Green is going to continue to be white hot from 3 point land and I wonder if in game 5 Gary Neal's stupid pull ups from 28 feet won't fall. While much has gone bad for the Spurs, much has gone well.
Also, every other time the Spurs were in the Finals, there was little doubt they were going to win. Maybe in Detroit but after Game 5 we all knew we had that. This one seems to teeter closer to the edge and is much more uncertain.
I'm going to hope for the best in game 5. I think at best we're even money. But thats not so bad at this point.
Spurs players only deserve praise when they win. Not criticism when they under perform. Poor NBA Millionaires. Life is so tough for them. You should definitely be appalled!
of course game 5 in the finals after being 2-2 is a dream come true.
this game will be forever cherrished in Spurs lore. win or lose
as I said, Spurs playing with house money. They already overachieved this season.
I'm enjoying it even if the spurs lose it was a uva ride to get back to the finals .if u would of told me before the season spurs would be 2-2 with the heat I wouldn't have believed it .sure it took a little luck for the team to get here but I still believe this spurs team can get game 5 and force Miami to win out to get that ring
I mean, if we're being perfectly honest, it basically is. Miami at their best beats San Antonio at their best. It's tough to admit that in the middle of a series ... but it's true.
Thankfully, it's now a best out of three so all it takes is a couple great performances and it won't matter who is technically the team with the higher ceiling.
I'm also at peace already. Looking back now the heat played the best game they could possibly play. The Spurs were still within striking distance for most of the game while playing their worst. Now the question here is can the heat play with that type of energy for back to back games?
The Spurs can pull this out. I believe, it's their destiny.
I still believe the Spurs can win it
Good post, timvp.
This forum has made me lose some faith in humanity tonight. So much vile filth being thrown towards our players. I wonder if many of the posters on here are even fans at all.
Good thread. 4 or 5 hours later I've come to terms with it as well. Overall I was proud of the guys for sticking in there for a good 3 quarters or so with Lebron playing at an MVP level and Wade playing at an All NBA level.
FIFYGood post, timvp.
This forum has made me lose some faith in humanity tonight. So much vile filth being thrown towards Manu. I wonder if many of the posters on here are even fans at all.
The universe would implode if the day ever came that superjames1992 complaiend about "vile filth" being thrown towards Tony Parker, for example
Well said, still don't get why people react like they do. It's a tied series, not like were down 3-1. I'm realistic, were not going to win them all. Like everyone else I would have loved to see the Spurs win it all at home, but figured that was very unlikely. We took one in Miami like we needed, As long as we get 2 of 3 on our home court were in great shape. We then have two chances in Miami. Game 3 and 5 are the two big games, now if 5 doesn't go our way then I'll start to worry. I honestly believe Spurs have game 5. They know what it means if they don't take that game.
You pretty much just summed up how I'm feeling timvp.
Until proven otherwise I'm not going to trust in Manu Ginobili.
He got dis. Stop being a hater.
Timvp should be creating his jinx / pessimist thread so San Antonio could win.
Game 3 in Indiana probably... and we were right there all the way to the 4th...
But yeah, it's the middle of June and the Spurs are still playing!
Incorrect. In any case, vile filth has also been spewed in Tiago's direction. Timmy has gotten some hate by some of our "fans", too.The universe would implode if the day ever came that superjames1992 complaiend about "vile filth" being thrown towards Tony Parker, for example
If someone said to me beginning of the season we'd have a 3 game series for a le even with Miami home court, I'd take it.
If the Memphis in 6 and Miami in 5 pessimist timvp believes, then dammit I Believe.
I've usually tried to be at least an objective homer/optimist, but dammit it just doesn't seem like its possible for the Spurs to lose in a finals series. Call it destiny or some other spiritual crap, but I just can't come to grips with the possibility of dropping this series. I've seen the Spurs lose in the playoffs many times, as we all have. Against Phoenix a couple of times, the Lakers, the Mavs, the Grizzlies, the Thunder. And while I was pissed as after those series, I was able to come to grips with it. But cmon. After sweeping the Lakers, the 4 minute miracle against Golden State, sweeping the freakin Grizzlies, and winning the 2 games against Miami the way we did, I just can't accept the possibility that this series could be lost.
Especially after the comeback against the Warriors. I couldn't even watch the damn game because I was at work, but my eyes were peeled as I was staring at the play by play of my NBA gametime app, reading Curry 3 after Curry 3. I left work with about 5 minutes left in the game, and obviously the radio here was playing the ******* Dodgers game on one station and the bleeping Angels game on the other, so I busted open the gametime app on my phone while driving home, and screamed after each shot was made (read, actually). I managed to get home near the end of the 1st OT, after following the play by play on my entire drive home. Of course, I had the game DVR-ed, but still. Will never forget that night. I refuse to believe that night was just another game in yet another Spurs playoff run that ultimately felt short.
Tonight, the Heat look great, but certainly not invincible. Mixed bag of emotions here, as evidenced by this all-over-the-place post, but dammit we gonna get this.
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